The Broadcasting Board of Governors’ (BBG) portion of the President’s FY 2019 Budget Request, released today, continues to expand global freedom of information and expression and communicate America’s democratic experience and values around the world.

“In a world awash with media, and saturated in often false narratives and disinformation, our work is more important than ever,” said BBG CEO and Director John F. Lansing. “Audiences around the world are hungry for the exceptional news and information that we offer, and we will continue to meet that demand.”

The $661.1 million in the President’s FY 2019 Budget Request represents strategic investments that build on the BBG’s successful efforts in confronting state-sponsored disinformation, accelerating the shift to digital and interactive platforms, and strengthening accountability. The President’s FY 2019 Budget Request also includes program and operation reductions at the agency’s Offices of Technology, Services, and Innovation and Cuba Broadcasting, and at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, one of the BBG-sponsored networks.

Although the President’s FY19 funding request represents a $24 million reduction from the FY 2018 Budget Request, it prioritizes funding for the U.S. National Security Strategy objectives of “Preserving Peace through Strength” and “Advancing American Influence” by expanding freedom of information and expression and communicating America’s democratic experience and values. This includes enhancing reporting on violent extremism, premiering additional fact-based alternatives to Russian propaganda, and increasing content and distribution options to China and Iran.

Today, the BBG is uniquely positioned – through its enduring mission, the vital support of our excellent Board of Governors, revitalized leadership, greatly improved internal coordination and collaboration, and expanded global reach on all media platforms – to combat disinformation and extremism and to communicate America’s story and values to the world.

“Today’s fast-changing media environment requires that we continually improve our operations in order to make the most of our journalistic impact,” said Lansing. “As stewards of the American taxpayers’ dollars, we are committed to improving our operations in order to maximize effectiveness, efficiency and accountability.”

]]>At one-year mark, Current Time leads with innovation and growthhttps://www.bbg.gov/2018/02/07/one-year-mark-current-time-leads-innovation-growth/
Wed, 07 Feb 2018 19:38:35 +0000https://www.bbg.gov/?p=40569Current Time is marking steady growth and expanding demand since its formal launch one year ago as a 24/7 Russian-language alternative to Kremlin-controlled media.

]]>Current Time is marking steady growth and expanding demand since its formal launch one year ago as a 24/7 Russian-language alternative to Kremlin-controlled media.

Created in 2014 to provide reliable news to Russian-speaking audiences in the former Soviet space, Current Time has exploded from a single 30-minute program to a round-the-clock network, bringing dynamic reporting and fresh feature coverage to leading digital platforms, 77 distribution networks, and 47 affiliate stations in Russia and nearly 30 other countries, including the Baltics, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Central Asia.

Prominent Russian documentary filmmaker Vitaly Mansky has called Current Time “the only television in the world that tells [Russians], in Russian, the truth about the current state of affairs. And it is television that is the most effective way of gaining their trust.”

On digital platforms, Current Time’s innovative social media videos, designed for younger audiences and particularly successful inside Russia, were viewed 400 million times in 2017. The channel’s subscriber base on Facebook and Russian-language social media sites like VKontakte tripled during the year, and the channel’s YouTube page grew from 35,000 subscribers to 220,000. Current Time has nearly 1 million subscribers across all social media.

While Current Time is, under U.S. law, editorially independent of any government, it was designated a “foreign agent” by Russia in December, together with VOA and RFE/RL’s other units inside the country, including its Russian Service and regional programs covering the North Caucasus, the Volga region, and Siberia.

In addition to social media, Current Time can be watched through its website at currenttime.tv, and worldwide on OTT outlets such as MeGoGo and Plex TV.

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through the BBG.

]]>RFE/RL fears retaliation against journalists in Pakistanhttps://www.bbg.gov/2018/01/26/rferl-fears-retaliation-journalists-pakistan/
Fri, 26 Jan 2018 18:21:12 +0000https://www.bbg.gov/?p=40506Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) expressed concern on Friday that members of Radio Mashaal are facing pressure by authorities following the closure of the Pashto-language service’s Islamabad office on ISI orders last week.

]]>Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) expressed concern on Friday that members of Radio Mashaal are facing pressure by authorities following the closure of the Pashto-language service’s Islamabad office on ISI orders last week.

RFE/RL President Thomas Kent said there were indications that authorities were seeking to compel staffers to make forced statements against the news organization.

On January 19, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry ordered the closure of the bureau following accusations by ISI that Mashaal’s programs are “against the interest of Pakistan” and “in line with [a] hostile intelligence agency’s agenda.”

In a statement issued that day, Kent deplored the allegations, saying “Radio Mashaal serves no intelligence agency or government.” He demanded that the safety of Mashaal journalists “be ensured, and that they be permitted to resume their work without fear or delay.”

Radio Mashaal was created in 2010 with a grant by the U.S. Congress, as an alternative news source to extremist media in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province along the border with Afghanistan. While Mashaal continues to use cross-border AM and shortwave radio to reach its Pashto-speaking audience, it also counts more than 1.6 million Facebook fans, and registered 81 million video views on Facebook and 10 million views on YouTube in 2017.

The closure comes amid increasing tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan.

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through the BBG.

]]>Media rights groups, Pakistani political leaders decry Radio Mashaal closurehttps://www.bbg.gov/2018/01/25/media-rights-groups-pakistani-political-leaders-decry-radio-mashaal-closure/
Thu, 25 Jan 2018 13:31:11 +0000https://www.bbg.gov/?p=40483Media rights organizations including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have been joined by representatives of a broad spectrum of Pakistani political parties in protesting a January 19 decision by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry to close the Islamabad bureau of Radio Mashaal, RFE/RL’s Pashto language service to Pakistan. The closure order followed accusations by the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency that its programs are “against the interest of Pakistan” and “in line with [a] hostile intelligence agency’s agenda.”

]]>Media rights organizations including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have been joined by representatives of a broad spectrum of Pakistani political parties in protesting a January 19 decision by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry to close the Islamabad bureau of Radio Mashaal, RFE/RL’s Pashto language service to Pakistan. The closure order followed accusations by the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency that its programs are “against the interest of Pakistan” and “in line with [a] hostile intelligence agency’s agenda.”

Radio Mashaal was created in 2010 with a grant by the U.S. Congress, to combat extremism in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province along the border with Afghanistan. While Mashaal continues to use cross-border AM and shortwave radio to reach its Pashto-speaking audience, it also counts more than 1.6 million Facebook fans, and registered 81 million video views on Facebook and 10 million views on YouTube in 2017.

CPJ Asia Program Director Steven Butler called the closure of Radio Mashaal’s Islamabad bureau “a draconian move by Pakistani authorities and a direct threat to press freedom in the country.” Noted RSF Asia Pacific Desk head Daniel Bastard, “It is not the job of the intelligence services to dictate the editorial line of a radio station that provides Pashto speakers with an alternative viewpoint.”

In comments made to Radio Mashaal, politicians from major Pakistani political parties active in the tribal areas condemned the closure of the Islamabad bureau. They emphasized that Radio Mashaal is a critical resource in the fight against terrorist networks and militancy in Pakistan, and noted Mashaal’s unique reporting on local problems and efforts to raise political and civic awareness in a region otherwise dominated by extremist propaganda:

Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao — Member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, Chairman of the Qaumi Watan Party, former Interior Minister of Pakistan

“Radio Mashaal has its policy and it is airing reports/programs about the situation in Pashtun areas. So I believe banning Mashaal is not the right [approach]. And we believe that the ban must be immediately waived.”

“The Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party strongly condemns the ban of Radio Mashaal by the Interior Ministry. Hundreds of thousands of Pashtuns listen to Radio Mashaal, which provides information to the people. We know very well that mainstream Pakistani media, both private and official, do not air Pashto programs for the Pashto-speaking regions, including the tribal areas. Radio Mashaal is highlighting problems of those people, conduct interviews with them. The people are very happy with Mashaal programs.”

Akhunzada Chattan — former Member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, senior leader of the Pakistan People’s Party:

“There is no denying the fact that whatever political awareness that we see in the tribal areas, particularly about the FCR [British-era Frontier Crimes Regulation] I can say that more than 50 per cent credit goes to Radio Mashaal. They [Radio Mashaal] performed the best service. And this is the reason that it was banned because it [Radio Mashaal] is creating political awareness among the tribal people”

Afrasiab Khattak — former Pakistani Senator, senior leader of the Awami National Party:

“I believe Radio [Mashaal] did not do anything bad against the interests of the country. Rather [the radio] highlighted the problems of the backward areas, and that too, through the words of the local population. And then they let other people know about those problems. So this is a service [to the community].

“Closing the radio, television or newspaper is not the right step. If there is a complaint against someone, they must be informed and if proved, only then can be punished. We condemn the one-sided move by providing no opportunity to the other party to present its clarification. We want the government of Pakistan to send a notice to the responsible authorities of Radio Mashaal. Talk to them and act only when they [the government] proved the allegation against them.”

Mufti Ainuddin — senior leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party:

“We believe that Mashaal Radio has truly highlighted many key issues and problems of Pashtuns and we are happy with that. We praise Mashaal for that. Banning media outlets is not the right step. And imposing a ban on media without reasons is also not a commendable step.”

]]>RFE/RL deplores closure of bureau in Pakistanhttps://www.bbg.gov/2018/01/19/rferl-deplores-closure-bureau-pakistan/
Fri, 19 Jan 2018 21:35:04 +0000https://www.bbg.gov/?p=40464Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has deplored the closure by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry of its office in Islamabad, Pakistan, following accusations by the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency that its programs are “against the interest of Pakistan” and “in line with [a] hostile intelligence agency’s agenda.”

]]>Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has deplored the closure by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry of its office in Islamabad, Pakistan, following accusations by the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency that its programs are “against the interest of Pakistan” and “in line with [a] hostile intelligence agency’s agenda.”

Radio Mashaal serves no intelligence agency or government,” said RFE/RL President Thomas Kent, using the local name of RFE/RL’s Pashto-language service in Pakistan. “Our reporters are Pakistani citizens who are dedicated to their country and live and raise families in the villages in which they report. We demand that their safety be ensured, and that they be permitted to resume their work without fear or delay.”

Interior Ministry officers arrived at the company’s Islamabad bureau on January 19 to present the closure order and clear and seal the premises. The order came amid deteriorating U.S.-Pakistan relations. Pakistan’s chief of army staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa stated on January 12 that Pakistan feels “betrayed” by U.S. criticism that it is not doing enough to fight terrorism and by Washington’s decision to suspend military aid for Islamabad.

RFE/RL, a private news organization supported by a U.S. congressional grant, has documented increasing threats against Mashaal journalists over the last two years as a result of their reporting. Freedom House has designated the country “not free,” and the Committee to Protect Journalists consistently ranks it among the most dangerous countries for the media.

Radio Mashaal was established in 2010 to provide an alternative to extremist propaganda in the tribal regions along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, reaching audiences that are otherwise subject to the “mullah” radio of Taliban extremists and the recruitment efforts of other militant groups.

While Mashaal continues to use radio to reach its audience, it also counts more than 1.6 million Facebook fans, and registered 81 million video views on Facebook and 10 million views on YouTube in 2017.

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through the BBG.

]]>RFE/RL reporters faced ‘relentless pressure’ in 12 of 23 countries in 2017https://www.bbg.gov/2017/12/20/rferl-reporters-faced-relentless-pressure-12-23-countries-2017/
Wed, 20 Dec 2017 20:56:54 +0000https://www.bbg.gov/?p=40333Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalists have been targeted in no fewer than 38 incidents in at least 12 of the countries they cover in 2017, in what the company has called “relentless pressure” on its journalistic mission.

]]>Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalists have been targeted in no fewer than 38 incidents in at least 12 of the countries they cover in 2017, in what the company has called “relentless pressure” on its journalistic mission.

“We report on local politics, social issues, corruption, wars, and extremist movements in places where both governments and nonstate actors would prefer to control the media,” said RFE/RL President Thomas Kent. “Our reporters take enormous risks because they believe their work matters and that free societies need a free press.”

The number of incidents represents an increase over previous years, and coincides with a recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) that says the record number of journalists jailed worldwide this year is indicative of “a global crisis in freedom of the press.” RFE/RL reporters work in many of the countries where CPJ documented imprisoned journalists, including Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Among the most serious cases, RFE/RL contributor Mykola Semena is serving a 2.5 year suspended sentence following a conviction on “separatism” charges in Russia-annexed Crimea. On December 18, the peninsula’s Supreme Court let stand Semena’s conviction and sentence, but reduced a ban on his “public activities” from three years to two. Blogger Stanislav Aseyev is being held virtually incommunicado by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Contributor Saparmamed Nepeskuliev is serving the last year of a three-year sentence in Turkmenistan. Aziz Yusupov, the brother of an RFE/RL journalist based in Prague, is serving a five-year sentence in Uzbekistan.

“Our colleagues and family members should be released immediately and allowed to do their work,” said Kent, adding that international rights groups have condemned each of the cases as politically motivated.

In most of the incidents documented this year, RFE/RL journalists have been summoned or detained by authorities for questioning, or faced warnings by law enforcement officials and persons in plainclothes while on assignment. Reporters with RFE/RL’s investigative Schemes team in Ukraine have been roughed up on numerous occasions, and their equipment has been confiscated or broken. In Pakistan, correspondents have been vilified, threatened, and kidnapped by militant groups, state security agencies, and criminal gangs. Correspondents have been harassed and threatened with the loss of accreditation in connection with their reporting in Belarus, Russia’s Tatarstan region, and Tajikistan. Family members of reporters working for Current Time TV and RFE/RL’s Iran, Uzbek, Turkmen, Azerbaijani, and Russian services have been threatened.

Online attacks have further threatened the security of RFE/RL journalists in 2017. The implications for RFE/RL journalists of Russia’s December 5, 2017 designation of RFE/RL and several affiliated news services as “foreign agents” remain unclear.

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through the BBG.

]]>RFA releases e-book of Chinese dissident political cartoonist’s artworkhttps://www.bbg.gov/2017/12/13/rfa-releases-e-book-chinese-dissident-political-cartoonists-artwork/
Wed, 13 Dec 2017 20:47:06 +0000https://www.bbg.gov/?p=40323In this collection of 50 drawings, Wang continues to apply his editorial and artistic wit to events in China, while also tackling issues from North Korean nuclear provocations to Cambodian political machinations to the Rohingya humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

]]>Radio Free Asia (RFA) today released an e-book featuring the artwork of Wang Liming, also known as Rebel Pepper, whose career as a political cartoonist began by satirizing politics in his native China. In this collection of 50 drawings, titled “Drawing Fire: The Political Cartoons of Rebel Pepper,” Wang continues to apply his editorial and artistic wit to events in China, while also tackling issues from North Korean nuclear provocations to Cambodian political machinations to the Rohingya humanitarian crisis in Burma. RFA’s e-book is available free for download on iTunes, Google Play, and the RFA website’s e-book shelf (in PDF format).

“Rebel Pepper masters the art of making big statements with few to no words,” said Libby Liu, President of RFA.“Political cartoonists serve up satire, caricatures, and dark humor that can be controversial, if not subversive, even in free societies with long histories of unfettered media and open debate.

“In countries where independent thought is repressed and even criminalized, the resonance of visual commentary can be a lifeline.”

Wang honed his craft in his native China, where the government is more famous for censorship than for a sense of humor, and where often grim political and human rights topics do not lend themselves easily to light treatment. His success in giving expression to the thoughts of his thousands of followers both on taboo subjects and on everyday experiences drew the wrath of the mighty Chinese Communist Party.

“I want to use my talents for change using a format that can be understood by everyone,” said Wang. “In China, to be a cartoonist is a very dangerous profession. I believe by doing my artwork I help friends and others in China whose voices have been silenced. To have an opportunity to think, say, and, of course, draw anything without fear is a right that cannot be taken for granted.”

Forced to leave his homeland in 2014, Rebel Pepper first found haven in Japan before settling in Washington, D.C. His cartoons have appeared in the Japanese edition of Newsweek, Index of Censorship, and China Digital Times, among other publications. He began working for RFA in June 2017. Throughout his journey he continued to hone his craft, challenging Chinese state-controlled narratives and expanding his graphic editorials for RFA.

About RFA

Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news, information, and commentary in 9 East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA’s broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from the BBG.

]]>CPJ report highlights threats to RFA journalists, former staffhttps://www.bbg.gov/2017/12/13/cpj-report-highlights-threats-rfa-journalists-former-staff/
Wed, 13 Dec 2017 20:23:01 +0000https://www.bbg.gov/?p=40321“None of these individuals deserves to be imprisoned or face the might of authoritarian legal systems. Nor should their families and loved ones be forced to suffer at the hands of authorities. These acts of intimidation should cease and these individuals should be freed, without charges and without delay."

]]>More than half of the countries in Radio Free Asia’s target broadcast region are listed among the world’s worst jailers of journalists in the Committee to Protect Journalists’ special report for 2017. The report cites China, Cambodia, and Vietnam — countries that have imprisoned Radio Free Asia (RFA) current and former journalists, as well as contributors and sources. RFA President Libby Liu said the report’s findings underscore not only the threats to free press, but also the importance of RFA’s work and independent journalism in these countries and around the world.

“Cambodia, Vietnam, and China persecute and make examples of journalists and sources who challenge the narratives of the ruling regimes,” Liu said. “By resorting to desperate measures, these countries unwittingly highlight the impact and importance of a free press.

“The situation in Cambodia, where two former RFA journalists have been charged with espionage, is especially egregious. Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin severed ties to RFAafter our bureau was forced to close in September. Yet two months later they were arrested and charged, and they now wait in prison as a Cambodian court pursues what could be a months-long quest to assemble evidence for the prosecution. It’s an absolute outrage.

“In Vietnam, RFA contributors like Nguyen Van Hoa and Mother Mushroom have both been sentenced to jail and other correspondents are routinely stopped and searched, while their families are questioned and harassed by police.

“In China, authorities detain and charge rights activists, citizen journalists, and family members who provide information or comments to RFA.

“None of these individuals deserves to be imprisoned or face the might of authoritarian legal systems. Nor should their families and loved ones be forced to suffer at the hands of authorities. These acts of intimidation should cease and these individuals should be freed, without charges and without delay.

“RFA thanks CPJ, RSF, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Frontline Defenders, and other global media rights groups for their sustained efforts to keep pressure on the international community to act.”

In Cambodia, former RFA journalists Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin from its Khmer Service, which was forced to close its Phnom Penh bureau in September, were arrested and are facing charges of “espionage.” The two are being held at Prey Sar Prison in Phnom Penh. If tried and convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison. In Vietnam, video journalist and RFA contributor Nguyen Van Hoa was sentenced in November to seven years in prison for reporting on the 2016 chemical spill that devastated the country’s central coast. Days after Nguyen’s sentencing, blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, known also as Mother Mushroom, lost her appeal of her 10-year prison sentence for her posts on Facebook about human rights and other underreported issues in Vietnam. According to CPJ’s updated database, China has 41 reporters and bloggers currently in prison, making it among the world’s biggest jailers of journalists. CPJ also documents how medical neglect in Chinese prisons often amounts to a “death sentence” for jailed journalists. While no RFA journalists or sources have been arrested in Myanmar, the country has three reporters jailed and recently stepped up restrictions on media.

About RFA

Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news, information, and commentary in 9 East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA’s broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from the BBG.

]]>Voice of America used social media to make an impact in 2017https://www.bbg.gov/2017/11/28/voice-america-used-social-media-make-impact-2017/
Tue, 28 Nov 2017 19:56:14 +0000https://www.bbg.gov/?p=39981The global network’s impact was worldwide, even in challenging media environments, according to the annual numbers released by the Broadcasting Board of Governors through its Performance and Accountability Report (PAR).

]]>Voice of America’s social media engagement made an impact worldwide in 2017, even in challenging media environments, according to the annual numbers released by the Broadcasting Board of Governors through its Performance and Accountability Report.

When the Cambodian government cracked down on FM stations carrying Voice of America programming earlier this year, VOA Khmer, that has the most popular Facebook page inside Cambodia, continued to reach its audience through its web and social media platforms.

VOA Pashto and VOA Dari’s Facebook pages made a strong showing in Afghanistan with a combined fan base of almost seven million in a country with fewer than 10 million Internet users. VOA Mandarin ranked third most popular Mandarin-language media on YouTube, while VOA Ukrainian introduced Chat-Time, a Facebook live expansion of its popular TV program, Chas-Time.

“Over the last several years, our strategy has been to intensify our social media engagement,” said VOA Director Amanda Bennett. “The latest BBG report offers proof that this strategy is working.”

In addition to social media engagement, VOA’s network of affiliate stations grew by 146 radio and television partner stations, resulting in an audience increase of more than two million weekly in Turkey, Kenya, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. VOA’s total global weekly audience remained stable at nearly 237 million, following a record-setting increase of 65 million during the previous two years.

Data in the Performance and Accountability Report measures the effectiveness of all of the BBG’s broadcast elements that include the federally funded Voice of America and Office of Cuba Broadcasting and the grantees Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.

About VOA

Voice of America reaches a global weekly audience of more than 236.8 million people in 45 languages. VOA programs are delivered on satellite, cable, shortwave, FM, medium wave, streaming audio and video and more than 2,350 media outlets worldwide. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through the BBG.

]]>RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service wins Burke Awardhttps://www.bbg.gov/2017/11/20/rferls-uzbek-service-wins-burke-award/
Mon, 20 Nov 2017 17:03:18 +0000https://www.bbg.gov/?p=39928The service known locally as Radio Ozodlik was honored at the 16th annual award ceremony held by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) in Washington on November 14.

]]>Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Uzbek Service received a David Burke Distinguished Journalism Award at the 16th annual award ceremony held by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) in Washington on November 14.

Uzbek service journalists were recognized for their tireless and courageous determination to break stories and provide Uzbekistan’s citizens with a means to speak truth to power, despite grave risks to themselves and their families.

In his acceptance remarks, Uzbek Service Director Alisher Siddique thanked the BBG for “your acknowledgement of our humble contribution to promoting democracy in one of the world’s most unfree countries,” noting that the journalists of the Uzbek Service “have put everything on the line to demand freedom of speech, and to report the news that no one else would tell.”

The award is a testament to the Service’s pioneering efforts to use the latest digital platforms to break Uzbekistan’s information blockade. Despite not having a single “official” reporter in the country, Siddique said, the Service has built “an extensive network of citizen journalists via mobile apps to receive, develop, edit and distribute back to Uzbeks the news they need, about themselves, their communities, and their government.”

Siddique also noted how Uzbek Service reporting has “contributed to numerous changes in government policy over recent years,” including the Uzbek government’s decisions to abolish the death penalty and ban the use of child labor in the country’s cotton fields. Siddique added, “our investigative reporting revealed corruption that led to the arrest of Gulnara Karimova, the late president’s daughter. We were first to report the news about the death of President Islam Karimov” in September 2016.

In 169th place in the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, Uzbekistan’s media environment is tightly restricted. Authorities have complete control over traditional media and have tightened their grip on the Internet in recent years.

Aziz Yusupov, the brother of an RFE/RL Uzbek Service journalist, was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2016 on drug-related charges in retaliation for his brother’s reporting.

The David Burke Awards recognize courage, integrity and professionalism of journalists from each of the BBG networks—Voice of America, RFE/RL, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa), Radio Free Asia, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Martí).

David W. Burke was the founding chairman and leader of the BBG for its first three years. He is the former President of CBS News and served as both Vice President and Executive Vice President of ABC News.

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through the BBG.